Veteran Nigerian journalist and publisher, Dele Momodu, has formally joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), ending months of speculation about his next political move after leaving the Peoples Democratic Party.
Momodu announced his decision on Thursday, 15 January 2026, during an event held in Benin City, the capital of Edo State, southern Nigeria. At the gathering, he made it clear that his entry into the ADC was not driven by personal ambition for elective office.
Addressing questions about his political intentions, the former presidential aspirant dismissed suggestions that he was eyeing a senatorial or governorship position in Edo State.
“People have asked me, ‘What do you want? Do you want to be governor or senator?’ No,” he said. “I just want to promote the best interests of our people.”
Momodu described his formal induction into the ADC as a significant moment in his political journey, explaining that the party represents a new opposition force in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country.
He added that his involvement in partisan politics is centred on broader national goals rather than personal gain.
“My mission in politics is to work with people of like minds to rescue and reset Nigeria,” he stated. “Nigeria must not be allowed to slide into a one-party state.”
Speaking further, Momodu reflected on his personal history and reconnection with his roots in Edo State, noting that it took decades for him to fully trace his ancestral background. He acknowledged the role played by political leaders in the state who helped him reconnect with his community.
He also explained that although he had spent many years building a life and career abroad, particularly in the United States, his return to active political participation in Edo State was deliberate and meaningful.
According to him, his move to the ADC was influenced by a desire to contribute to the political growth of the state while ensuring that governance remains focused on the welfare of the people.
Momodu’s decision to join the ADC comes months after he resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in July 2025. In his resignation letter, he accused the party of being overtaken by forces that no longer respected democratic values.
“Our party has been hijacked by anti-democratic forces, both from within and outside,” he wrote at the time. He added that leaving the party was an honourable step, as many like-minded Nigerians were aligning with the ADC as a new political coalition.
With his latest move, Momodu joins a growing list of political figures positioning themselves within emerging opposition platforms ahead of future political contests in Nigeria.